"He's through the worst of it. As long as he rests, he'll make it with time."
"That's a relief. Ilia and Telma were worried about him."
"Do you know what happened to his mother? He has been talking in his sleep, worried about her."
Tails expression grew troubled. "If he's Prince Ralis... then I don't think he'll like to know."
"What befell her?"
"Queen Rutelia? The shadow beasts killed her."
"How terrible... perhaps it is best to wait until he has recovered."
"Leave that to me," Colin told them. "I'll take care of him until he's alright again." Renado nodded thankfully. "Hey, Tails? Is it true Ilia's lost her memory?"
"Looks like it... I don't know how."
"Regaining it will be no simple task," Renado told them. "But given time, she will find her heart again. She is welcome to stay here with us."
"Nice to see some hope still here, " Telma said, coming into view. Colin left, returning to the Zora, Ralis. "Good to see you again, Renado."
"Telma. It has been a while."
"We'll have to catch up before I go on back. Anyway, Tails. You've got some impressive skills on you. How do you feel about putting them up for the good of Hyrule?"
"You mean I wasn't already?"
She chuckled at that, but continued. "I'm a part of a group that meets in my bar, trying to help Hyrule. Next time you're in town, I want you to come by and meet them. There's also a hidden passage that leads to the castle, if you should ever need it, but it hasn't been used for a long while. If you ever need help or a drink, you be sure to stop by."
"I will. How's Ilia?"
"She's in the Inn, meeting your friend. He's a strange one, isn't he?"
"Sonic? He's a good friend. Would you excuse me? I'd like to go check up on them."
"Of course."
Sonic was actually dozing in a chair. He looked out of place, given all the humans around here.
Ilia was sat at a table with a steaming mug.
"Ilia," he called gently to her. She glanced up.
"Tails? I'm glad you came by... I wanted to thank you again for your help... for helping someone you don't even know."
"It's nothing... and who knows, maybe when your memory returns, you'll find we already knew each other."
As he left the Inn, a familiar sight awaited him.
"I am deeply grateful for your aiding my son," Queen Rutelia told him. "You were right to bring him here... it is a sacred place to my people. It is where our dead take their rest. My husband in life, King Zora, also rests here. It is no coincidence then that my son has found his salvation here. That which I promised you lies within his grave."
"His... grave?"
"During his lifetime, my husband created garments specifically for the chosen hero, garments that house the abilities of the Zora. Now, at last with my son safe, I can join the king in slumber." Her expression grew pensive. "And yet, my son... still knows nothing of my death. Please, tell him not to grieve for me. Tell him he must be strong, and rule as King Zora. Tell him I loved him."
"I'll tell him. The grave?"
"Of course, hero. Please follow me."
She led him to the graveyard, and to a specific gravestone at the back. It shifted aside at a sweeping gesture from her hand. Behind it was a small tunnel, leading to a small clearing with a lake in. On one island was another, smaller, gravestone. It had already slid back to reveal a chest hidden underneath.
"Take it," she told him. "May the Zora armour aid you.
The Zora Armour was much like the Hero's clothes, but blue, had more flipper-like footwear, and a mouthpiece apparently served to allow for breathing underwater. As he took it, the grave slid back, the late Zora Queen disappearing.
"Hey, Midna? Think you could keep hold of this for me until we need it?"
"Oh, alright. I guess I can handle it for you. Anything else you want to do before we go on to the temple?"
"Two things. The Zoras should have recovered by now, I want to make sure though, in case Zant tries anything else."
"And the other thing?"
"Water bombs."
"You think we'll need them?"
"In a temple underwater? Undoubtedly."
"It's a long ride to Zora's Domain with the Eldin bridge out."
"That's why we're going to ride there and back, after I exchange some bombs for water bombs."
"What if you don't need them?"
"Just planning ahead," he told her, entering Barnes' store.
"You're back, just like I thought. I got my water bombs in stock again."
"I know, I got the letter about it."
"Oh, you did get it? I wasn't sure. The postman doesn't stop by often."
"I got it alright. How many have you got?"
"Water Bombs? Plenty, but you won't be able to store them in the same bag as normal bombs."
"They'll work out of water just as well, right?"
"Naturally."
"Well, they'll have to do for both until I can get another bomb bag then." He handed over the bag, which Barnes carefully emptied, and restocked for him after a few rupees changed hands.
"That's the spirit, and when you get another bag, you come right on back and stock up some more."
"Maybe you should take on someone making bomb bags, and sell them too."
"Hey, I'm a bomb maker, not a bomb bag maker. I don't know a thing about making them."
"Always worth learning new things though. Thanks," he said, taking the bag back again.
Zora's Domain, aside from the still rapidly flowing river, was mostly back to normal. The bottom of the previously frozen waterfall was now another lake, carrying water from the spring downstream to the main Lake Hylia. Zoras could be spotted all about. Some pointed at him as he passed, most paid little attention.
The central chamber at the very top also had more activity. The Zoras appeared more worried about their missing prince – now King Zora – than much else. In filling them in on his whereabouts, he learned that strange sounds had been heard from a volcanic rock in the bottom of the spring.
Using Iron boots and Zora armour to sink to the bottom, he heard the same sounds. It sounded like a Goron.
He pulled out one of the water bombs he'd bought from Barnes, leaving it nearby, then slowly getting clear. He could swim faster than walk underwater because of the iron boots, but he wasn't exactly the best swimmer.
The rock exploded with a water-muffled boom, the smaller chunks floating upwards, other ones sinking back again. Several nearby Zoras looked on in curiosity as a Goron sat up from the remains.
"Finally! I thought I would never be free of that thing. I went to sleep near the volcano, the next thing I know I'm stuck in a volcanic rock! Did you blow it up? I must thank you... here, take this." He handed over a bomb bag. "It only has normal bombs, I'm afraid, but perhaps it is of use to you."
"You lucked out," Midna told him as he rose back up to the surface of the water, and letting the flow take him down to Lake Hylia. It didn't take long.
He already knew where the Lakebed Temple was, having seen it clearly while the lake was drained, and once more after defeating the giant light bug.
It's entrance was blocked off by a large rock, with no ledge nearby to drop a water bomb. Not far in front was a jet of bubbles, and a strong current upwards that only the iron boots kept from pushing him upwards with it.
One of the Zoras had warned him away, citing terrible beasts inside that would devour them all if the rock was destroyed, but he ignored the warning. Fending off terrible beasts what was he did all the time here. It was a wonder no one had tried dealing with them before, but then when you considered the Hylian soldiers...
A water bomb placed in the current of bubbles dealt with the rock, and he began to swim up. He found using his tails helped a great deal, particularly for moving quicker.
Through the cavern and into the temple he went, ignoring the brief moment of dread of what he'd have to fight this time.
Along this underwater passage were some giant clam creatures that seemed to try to bite at him, and electrified jellyfish. The clams were taken care of by slashing at the vulnerable insides while they tried to bite, while the jellyfish he carefully avoided. He didn't have anything to tackle them safely, and didn't particularly feel like being electrocuted by one.
When the tunnel angled upwards and finally out of the water, it left him in front of an imposing door, and a hook on a chain hanging form the ceiling. A good yank on it opened the door, letting him into the temple proper.